SGU Stargate Universe

The Stargate franchise will always be compared to Star Trek, but Stargate Universe is on the right path in diversifying itself from the rest of the science fiction world. You’ll notice that the show seems more focused on drama than just plain action, and it’s refreshing to see a sci-fi focus on character development and relationships rather than just big explosions and special effects. The series starts out when a group of solders, scientists, and civilians, who work in a secret base called “Icarus”, flee from an attack from an alien species. Before they can get back to Earth, however, they are brought aboard an ancient and abandoned alien vessel (via a Stargate), billions of miles away from Earth. The first season of SGU will appeal to fans of the Stargate franchise, but has enough energy and excitement to draw in fans outside of the Stargate world.
It’s difficult to find a well-known actor or actress among the cast of SGU. The lack of an experienced cast can be apparent at times, but it’s not enough to weigh the show down. The show utilizes an ensemble cast, which actually helps make the inexperienced acting less noticeable, as no one actor or actress has to carry the show. Robert Carlyle may be the most experienced cast member (he delivers a great performance is the British film Trainspotting), and makes his character, Nicholas Rush, as believable as a brilliant scientist trying to save a ship full of people billions of miles away from home can be. He is disliked by just about every character because of his conniving and deceiving ways, but works himself to exhaustion trying to save everyone on board. He is actually reminiscent of Benjamin Linus from the show Lost, as he manipulates characters around him to get his way, but he does so to ensure survival. Neither one of them trusts anyone and neither in trustworthy. Eli Wallace (David Blue) serves as the audience surrogate. Viewers learn about the characters and the world of Stargate through him as he joins the crew after being plucked out of his own house. He also serves as comic relief, albeit it’s a bit forced. Col. Young (Ferreira), Lt. Scott (Smith), Lt. Johansen (Alaina Huffman), and Sgt. Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) are the main military personnel on the show. All four are likable characters who keep the show exciting. Young is the leader of the crew and is the chief decision maker. He is a convincing and compelling character. Scott is his right-hand man who serves him loyally. Johansen is one of the more complicated characters on the show, as she clearly has had a past relationship with Young but must keep her emotions in check as she is the only medic on the ship.
While the ensemble cast has its benefits, it also has its detractors. SGU is a dramatic show, and in it people are billions of miles away from home. But because the cast is so large, it makes it hard to connect with the individual character, because less focus is placed on the individual. Therefore, characters don’t get to exhibit their emotions as much as they could, and it lessens the dramatic impact of the show. But one can make the argument the SGU needs an ensemble cast to work, and in that case, it could use its cast a lot worse.
SGU, while having flaws, can be exciting and gripping. Its imaginative worlds and clever plots give viewers a different universe to live in for one hour at a time. It keeps all the core elements of science-fiction, but overuses them at times. Regardless, the first season flashed its potential and it showed that it can become one of the best sci-fis on television. It still has a lot to prove, however, and cannot be considered a great show until it becomes more polished and balanced. Episodes “Air” and “Time” are especially well-done. SGU doesn’t try to confuse its viewers, but it avoids dumbing-down itself. While the series may not cater to all tastes, this first season has to be appreciated for how it deftly combines drama, action, and a bit of comedy to churn out one of the more promising sci-fi shows in recent years.